Zemeckis to address USC grads

Lenser Fraker to receive Mary Pickford Alumni Award

Robert Zemeckis will deliver a commencement speech for this year’s USC School of Cinema-Television graduating class Friday at the Shrine Auditorium.

Cinematographer William A. Fraker also will be on hand to receive the Mary Pickford Alumni Award.

“Each year, a sense of closure accompanies commencement and is quickly met with an air of anticipation: That we may be sending the next Zemeckis or Fraker into the Hollywood community is exciting,” said Dean Elizabeth Daley. “Robert Zemeckis and William A. Fraker exemplify the commitment to creativity, strength of character and sense of professionalism that we hope to instill in every student.”

The Pickford nod, first bestowed upon Zemeckis in 1995, pays tribute to the legacy of the late thesp. Other previous recipients of the award include Walter Murch, David Wolper and Laura Ziskin.